Nick Adams had an old school friend in the audience tonight: Nikka Lanzarone, who was one of the leads in the ill-fated Broadway musical WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN. I found her waiting near the stage door with her father Ben and mother Ilene Graff, a Broadway performer of note herself. (Ilene, Ben & Nikka pictured below)
I introduced myself to Ilene as we had something in common. She created the role of Cleo in the Broadway musical I LOVE MY WIFE in 1977. I played Cleo's husband Alvin in the Australian premiere in 1982.(We even made a cast album. I once got a royalty check for $2.17)
After much hugging and reminiscing about that show with Ilene, I commiserated with Nikka on the early closing of WOMEN ON THE VERGE after 69 performances. She was understandably disappointed as she felt that audiences were beginning to build. I could sympathise. The plug was pulled on I LOVE MY WIFE in Sydney after less than a month. Such are the vagaries of the show biz.
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